Obituary of Nestor Adrian MITENKO

December 24, 1936 – Edmonton, Alberta

June 15, 2021 – Strathmore, Alberta

Nestor (Nat) Adrian Mitenko of Calgary passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at the age of 84 years.

Nat was born in Edmonton on December 24, 1936. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1959 with a degree in Dentistry.  He started his practice in Westlock, AB, and married Mary soon after.  While small town life was perfect to start a family, Nat eventually moved the brood to Calgary in 1975. As a dentist he was highly respected by his peers. He was extremely skilled and caring, continuing to make “house calls” to nursing homes late in his career and making sure dentures fit just right for his older patients.

Nat was truly a devoted husband and father - he ensured many family trips to the cabin at Long Island Lake, road trips of all sorts with five kids rattling around in the back of the station wagon, and somehow getting us all on bikes, swimming, and skiing. Nat was the main grocery shopper and the kids looked forward to the occasional cheese buns or long johns that Nat slipped into the cart. With the extra care needed for David, Nat naturally took on many, many household tasks; he built a truly balanced and loving partnership with Mary.

Nat and Mary's love of travelling began by attending World Dental Congresses in Acapulco, Egypt, Greece, Brazil, and Mexico before world travel was a thing! They enjoyed trips to Russia and the ancestral village in Ukraine, Europe, Australia, Israel, Yugoslavia, and loads of warm locales. He also enjoyed many golf and beach vacations to Palm Springs and Mexico with Mary, Marg, family, and friends.

He was always generous with his time and truly enjoyed doing things for people, whether buying coffee, doing family-sized shops to Costco, or helping with house and yard projects. He loved his role as all-weather family chauffeur, with countless trips to the airport and many hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball and ringette practices and games. The drives with Grandpa Nat/Dad were perfect to comfortably chat and catch up on everyone’s busy lives and family news.

From early on, Nat had a deep connection with the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, involved with St. Anthony and St. Michael’s church communities, attending church most days. He volunteered many years with Feed the Hungry and Inn from the Cold. As well, he had been very involved in volunteer work with Alberta Dental Association, and the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association.

Nat loved sports. He skied and ski patrolled, curled avidly, and played hockey into his 70s. He loved golf and all its technical points, but mostly he loved the social aspect. He was on the links as soon as the snow was gone with close friends Bill, George, Gerry, John and many others. He coached swimming and hockey, and refereed for Dan's hockey teams.

Nat kept busy with gardening, cooking, reading, feeding blue jays, squirrel-proofing bird feeders, doing puzzles, taking on-line courses, and was a formidable Sudoko master. He was kind with a gentle sense of humour. He will most be remembered for being patient, imperturbable, unflappable, and even unruffled, but mostly equanimous, which is to say, Nat/Dad/Grandpa Nat was always calm and composed, and “had an evenness of mind, especially under stress”.

Nat is survived by his five children and their families, Lynn and John Dawson (Teagan and Adrian North Vancouver, Cathy Eastwood (Rachel and Claire), Lisa and Gary Grothman (Allison), Dan and Nicole Mitenko (Rove, Ella, Flynn), and David Mitenko, all from Calgary.

Nat is also survived by his sister Mary Campbell, Jacksonville, brother Ted (JoAnn) Mitenko of Calgary, sister Margaret Baker (Ross Perigoe) of Calgary, and many nephews, cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (5340 – 4th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

Family and friends are invited to join Mr. Mitenko’s Prayers and Funeral Mass streamed live (see below) on the day of the services. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Inn from the Cold Society, Suite 104, 110 – 11th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2G 0X5, Telephone: (403) 263-8384, www.innfromthecold.org.

In living memory of Nat Mitenko, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Nat's memorial card can be viewed with this link

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